Orthodox holidays in December 2025: the full Church calendar

December in the Orthodox tradition is a special time of spiritual concentration and expectation of the Nativity of Christ. The church calendar of the month is full of memorable days, divine services and fasting, designed to prepare believers for the great holiday. Orthodox events in December 2025 — in the material of Izvestia.

The main Orthodox dates of December

December is one of the key months of the Orthodox liturgical year, in which two major themes merge: the memory of many saints and preparations for the greatest holiday — Christmas. From its very first days, the general church calendar is full of memories of ascetics, martyrs and icons, and it is by the end of the year that it becomes particularly active.

Among the significant dates are the two—hundredth celebration of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple on December 4 and the veneration of one of the most beloved saints among the people, Nicholas the Wonderworker (December 19).

Believers of the Eastern Rite commemorate St. Spyridon and Bishop Alexander of Jerusalem on December 12, and St. Spyridon of Trimifunt on December 25. The date of Christmas in the Russian Orthodox Church falls on January 7 according to the new style, since the Julian calendar is used.

Holidays in honor of saints and icons

The beginning of December opens with several memorable days. Thus, on December 1, the memory of the martyrs Roman of Caesarea, Varul, Zacchaeus, Alphaeus, and Plato of Ancyra is celebrated — all of them suffered for their faith during the time of persecution.

December 2 commemorates Metropolitan Filaret of Moscow and the celebration of the icon of the Mother of God "In Sorrow and Sorrow Consolation."

Then on December 3 is the feast of the Introduction, and on December 4 is the celebration of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the temple, when three—year—old Mary was brought by her parents Joachim and Anna to the Jerusalem temple. Then, on December 5, there is a celebration, followed by other days of remembrance: Prince Mikhail of Tver, Martyr Apphia and the Blessed Prince Peter of Vladimir-Volynsky.

The days of commemoration of saints in December continue without interruption: on December 6 — the Venerable Prince Alexander Nevsky and St. Amphilochius of Iconium, on December 7 — the Great Martyr Catherine and the Martyr Mercury of Smolensk, on December 8 — the celebration of the feast of the Introduction and memory of the Holy Martyrs Clement and Peter of Alexandria, on December 9 — St. Innocent of Irkutsk and St. Alypius Stylites.

Icons occupy a special place — for example, the venerated icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" is celebrated on December 10, and on December 22, the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Righteous Anna and the celebration of the icon "Unexpected Joy" are celebrated.

These dates form a kind of calendar of memory: each of them is not just a historical memory, but an occasion for prayer, worship, and heroic deeds.

Preparation for the Christmas fast and the spiritual meaning of the month

December, as a month in the Orthodox tradition, carries with it a preparatory character. For believers, this is not just a series of holidays, but a period of spiritual concentration, intense prayer and good deeds.

The fast that precedes Christmas is called not only for physical abstinence — the rejection of meat, dairy, sometimes butter and fish, but above all for inner purification, humility and strengthening faith. The liturgical order emphasizes the importance of confession, participation in the Sacraments, charity and helping others.

Churches are actively involved in this movement in December: the services of saints and martyrs become a reminder of life in Christ, sacrifice and victory over sin. At the same time, preparations for Christmas include remembrance of the Mother of God, of those who, through their exploits and sufferings, brought humanity closer to salvation.

What kind of worship services await believers at the end of the year

At the end of the year, church life heats up: in December, the number of all-night vigils, prayer services, pre-feast and post-feast services increases. For example, before the feast of the Entry into the temple, the Orthodox Church celebrates a pre-celebration (December 3), followed by the celebration itself (December 4) and a post-celebration (December 5). Similarly, parishes organize special services on the days of saints and icons.

Also, towards the end of the year, believers can expect a liturgy on the days of commemoration of especially revered saints, and churches publish liturgical instructions on diocesan websites, with explanations about fast days, permissible meals and rules for visiting churches. Prayer services for peace and well—being, services with the participation of children and youth, and charity events are widely practiced - after all, the church's end of the calendar year becomes a milestone when the results of life are forgiven and spiritual plans for the next year are made.